Page 53 of Overdue

Having Austen around will help, though. Forget the amazing sex, just spending time with her makes my life so much better.

“Are we going to eat those pancakes before they’re reduced to ash?” Gran asks. I roll my eyes at her and plate up the pancakes. She says I spend a lot more time daydreaming now. How can I help it, when I know what Austen looks like naked? Speaking of, it sounds like her coming in the front door.

“We’re back here,” I call. Sure enough, she bounces into the kitchen. “Pancakes?” I ask, sliding another plate of them onto the table. She breaks off a piece and pops it into her mouth.

“Mmm, I like your cinnamon pancakes.” She swallows and kisses me on the cheek. “Are you ready for today?” she asks Gran, taking a seat. “I think I’m jealous. All your meals are made for you, daily housekeeping, and activities out the wazoo? I’m ready to move in.”

“It does sound exciting when you point all that out,” Gran agrees.

“You’re going to have to find time in your soon-to-be busy social schedule to finish Bridgerton with me,” I add. That raunchy bodice ripper even has me hooked. I make a mental note to set up a weekly date with Gran.

“Don’t you have work today?” I ask Austen, changing the subject. She’s wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Last I checked, that isn’t her usual librarian uniform.

“Nope,” she says. “I asked Kim to cover for me today so I can help. It’s a monumental day for Gran. How long have you lived here?”

“Gosh, I guess sixty years at least.” I hadn’t thought about that. Gran never lived anywhere but Dansboro Crossing her entire life. She married her high school sweetheart, and they moved in here.

“Gran, are you sure about this?” I ask. It’s not too late. She can still change her mind. Her hand finds mine. With a squeeze, she laughs.

“I’m sure. It’s all yours. Houses are just buildings. It’s the memories that make it a home, and nothing will ever take those from me,” she says. “Now it’s your turn to make your own memories.”

I clear my throat to keep from getting teary. Austen, however, has no problem letting a couple of tears escape. She throws her arms around Gran. Gran pats Austen before gently pushing her back.

“Okay, enough of that. We’ve got stuff to do.”

Gran starts cracking out orders. Austen and I hop to it. Breakfast is quickly cleaned up, her remaining stuff is packed, and the movers show up right on time. Mel and Gran leave to beat the movers to the new apartment while Austen and I oversee the loading.

When they’re done, we jump in my truck for the short drive to Fredericksburg. Austen oohs and ahhs at the first of the bluebonnets poking their heads up. The Indian paintbrush shouldn’t be far behind. I’ll give it a little more time and then plan a picnic among them. That sounds ridiculously romantic.

“Are you ready to move in?” I ask casually. We’ve been getting along so well lately, I’m a little scared to rock the boat.

“I think so. I don’t have much to move, just some personal stuff and my clothes.” She continues to stare out the window.

“Are you getting cold feet?” I ask.

She takes a minute before turning toward me. “Reed, do you ever wonder when the other shoe will drop? Like this can’t possibly last?” All the time, but I don’t tell her that.

“Do you want me to say something to piss you off so you can whack me? Would that help?”

“I don’t know. Maybe? It shouldn’t, because that just seems destructive.” We sit in silence for a few more minutes. Finally, I decide it can’t hurt. At least she doesn’t have any food with her.

“Did you wear those tight jeans just hoping I’d pin you against the truck and fuck you until you pass out?”

“Reed!” she squeals and backhands me in the chest. “You’re horrible.” She laughs then gives me a sexy side-eye. “Don’t stop.”

“Oh I won’t, even when you’re begging me to stop choking you with my dick.”

“Reed.” This time, she says my name with a little bit of lust behind it. Please tell me we’ve gone from her getting pissed to being turned on when I whip the dirty talk out. That, I can handle. All. Day. Long.

“Do I need to pull over and take care of all that squirming? Fuck that tight little pussy?”

“Oh my god,” she whispers. I watch out of the corner of my eye as she crosses her legs. She’s created a monster.

It’s going to take all my concentration to help Gran get settled in. All I can think about is testing out the new mattress I had delivered for the master bedroom. You didn’t really think I was going to sleep on my old twin while Austen is in the guest room, did you? Pssh, that’s funny.

“Here we are,” I say, pulling into the complex. Of course, I’ve already toured it, myself. I wasn’t letting Gran move in somewhere I wasn’t happy with. Austen sits up and fusses with her ponytail. I’m more focused on willing my hard-on to go down before getting out of the truck. I’m positive neither Gran nor Mel are interested in seeing that.

“This looks nice.”

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